ABSTRACT
Current research has enabled the use of microphysiological systems and creation of models for alveolar and pulmonary diseases. However, bottlenecks remain in terms of medium- and long-term regulation of cell cultures and their functions in microchannel systems, as well as in the enhancement of in vitro representation of alveolar models and reference values of the data. Currently used systems also require on-chip manufacturing of complex units, such as pumps, tubes, and other cumbersome structures for maintaining cells in culture. In addition, system simplification and minimization of all external and human factors major challenges facing the establishment of in vitro alveolar models. In this study, a magnetically driven dynamic alveolus cell-culture system has been developed to use controlled magnetic force to drive a magnetic film on the chip, thereby directing the fluid within it to produce a circulating flow. The system has been confirmed to be conducive with regard to facilitating uniform attachment of human alveolar epithelial cells and long-term culture. The cell structure has been recapitulated, and differentiation functions have been maintained. Subsequently, reactions between silica nanoparticles and human alveolar epithelial cells have been used to validate the effects and advantages of the proposed dynamic chip-based system compared to a static environment. The innovative concept of use of a magnetic drive has been successfully employed in this study to create a simple and controllable yet dynamic alveolus cell-culture system to realize its functions and advantages with regard to in vitro tissue construction.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to present a feasibility study to evaluate and compare a self-constructed, digital-based tangent scale using the Harms tangent screen test for the examination of patients' strabismus angles. METHODS: The documented strabismus angles of 10 patients were measured at nine gaze-positions and compared using the Harms tangent screen test (Harms Screen) and a self-constructed digital screen test (Digital Screen). The primary outcome is the difference in the measured angles between both methods. Secondary outcomes include the duration of the examinations and the diagnostic conclusion based on the results of the measurements. RESULTS: The datasets from 10 of 13 patients were used for comparisons (median age 52 years; females 5; males 5). All measurements showed a mean of 1.77° (SD 2.95°) in horizontal deviations and 1.11° (SD 2.23°) in vertical deviations. The two methods showed differences (> 5°) in 12 cases (13.3%) for horizontal angle measurements and in four cases (4.4%) for vertical angle measurements. The median examination time was 238 s (range 60-430 s) for the Harms Screen and 150 s (range 120-600 s) for the Digital Screen tests. The diagnostic conclusions were identical for both methods. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of the experimental digital setup in principle is shown. Despite some deviations in the measured strabismus angles, the resulting diagnosis of the paresis was identical. The new method showed a reduction of examination time.
